Upgrading my 5 years old build to fit my work needs

[Merryginal]

Hey everyone!

So I've waited a long time for this build, now that GPU availability is finally here I'd like to upgrade my computer. I'm obviously gaming but I'm a level designer as well and I'd like to be able to use this build as something that will last in the future and this is why I am currently looking at a 3090, I'm thinking that the extra vram will help on those heavy, non optimized, projects I am really open to suggestions and maybe going for a 3090 is overkill as a level designer, idk.
For gaming purposes, tbh I'm not gaming at 4k or even 2k, even though it might interest me in the future, but I'm still gaming at 1080p right now, so I guess this is not the big focus here.
As much as I'm trying to do my own research on everything I can't help but feel kind of lost at all the information out there, so I'd like a little bit of help at this point

Ho and btw the prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD)!

CPU - Intel 12700F Processor Core i7-12700F 12/20 2,1 GHz 6xxChipset
Graphics Card - I am looking at 3090 from EVGA, ASUS or MSI at this point, the choice of which one of them will depend on the one going on sale for the right price as the right time
Motherboard - GIGABYTE B660 AORUS Master DDR4
RAM - G.SKILL Trident Z Neo Series RGB DDR4 3600 MHz 32 Go (16 Gbx2)
SSD's/HDD's - Samsung Série 970 EVO Plus - 2 To PCIe NVMe - SSD interne M.2 (MZ-V7S2T0B/AM) + Seagate BarraCuda 3TB 5400 RPM 256MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drives
Case - CORSAIR 4000D Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Case
Cooling - DeepCool AK620
PSU - CORSAIR RM850 850W ATX 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Power Supply
pcpartpicker

In all that, I already have the Ram, Storage and Case, I have the CPU cooler too but it's 5y/o and I'd like to change it at this point, not trusting it in a new build lol.
Basically I have until December 15th to buy the first half and on January 1st I'll have to finish the build, so the idea is to grab as much as I can on black Friday I guess now idk if I should go for the GPU first or the other parts...
Like I said I'm open to suggestions and I might have made some mistakes/dumb choices in there anyway!

Thanks for your help!

 

[kapone32]

Make sure you have Memory Express, Canada Computers, Amazon, Newegg and Best Buy in your browser. I feel that GPUs, PSUs, DDR4 and SSDs will be the stars of Black Friday but there should be some killer deals on peripherals too. If you are looking for current GPUs, Kijji in your area might be a good place to start. If you want you could wait though because AMD cards are launching soon and the tech industry is in a weird place. The 4090 is too expensive and people will buy them retail but I predict the Scalper market at the high end is going to dry up and this could easily happen if AMD 7950XT is within 10% of the 4090 for Traditional Gaming and priced at $999. I don't think the market will allow for that though as GPUs are still sitting on retailers books since procurement in 2021. If there is a fire sale on any GPU (Where the market sees it as a good price) it sells. The 6500XT was much maligned but because it was $200 CAD in a world where the 6600 was $600 it sold so good they had to raise it to $220. Now you can get 6600s for $369 so things are improving but there is a chance for the bottom to fall out too.

 

[bonehead123]

I'm not sure what a "level designer" is, but if it involves any kind of rendering or 3D apps, then I would strongly suggest you bump your ram to 64 or 128GB, and your storage drive to a larger unit(s), as final renders tend to get real big real fast ...

And although everything else looks good as is for now, you may wanna consider a larger PSU, in case you want to upgrade to a 4xxx or 5xxx GPU in the future, that way you wont have to buy another one and then rip everything apart to install the new PSU....just a thought

 

[Merryginal]

Thanks Kapone32 for the advise on bookmarking those websites GPUs on Kijiji, I'm not sure tbh I feel like I want to buy that brand new but I'll look up just in case, we never know! For the 4090...out of my league honestly, for the 3090 I won't buy it until it's down to at least 1200$ (the MSI one was for a time but I wasn't feeling it yet). And for AMD, I haven't looked into it that much, I had such a great experience with Intel, maybe I'll wait and see what they come up with

I'm not sure what a "level designer" is, but if it involves any kind of rendering or 3D apps, then I would strongly suggest you bump your ram to 64 or 128GB, and your storage drive to a larger unit(s), as final renders tend to get real big real fast ...

And although everything else looks good as is for now, you may wanna consider a larger PSU, in case you want to upgrade to a 4xxx or 5xxx GPU in the future, that way you wont have to buy another one and then rip everything apart to install the new PSU....just a thought

For example I spend a lot of time in Unreal 5, working around in un optimized scenes that makes my computer burn lol but for real though I'm not making any render, so far 32gb is more than enough for me and that hasn't been a problem ever (even in stupid huge prototype) so I'm not too concerned yet. For the PSU you are absolutely right, tbh I thought 850w was already too much for what I have here, but I'll look into it a bit more! Thanks a lot!

 

[Why_Me]

Both of these cpu's run cooler and use less juice than the 12700K.

This cpu if you have no plans on utilizing Intel Quick Sync.

https://www.vuugo.com/intel-cpu-BX8071512700F.html?tracking=5108053939762
Intel Core i7-12700F $447.50

https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...-25m-cache-up-to-4-90-ghz/specifications.html

This cpu allows you to use Intel Quick Sync.

https://www.vuugo.com/intel-cpu-BX8071512700.html?tracking=5108053939762
Intel Core i7-12700 $465.25

Intel® Core™ i7-12700 Processor (25M Cache, up to 4.90 GHz) Product Specifications

Intel® Core™ i7-12700 Processor (25M Cache, up to 4.90 GHz) quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Here's a board with a better audio codec along with a few more features.

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1842_3869&item_id=214002
GIGABYTE B660 AORUS MASTER DDR4 $204.99 SAVE $65.00

B660 AORUS MASTER DDR4 (rev. 1.0) Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global

Lasting Quality from GIGABYTE.GIGABYTE Ultra Durable™ motherboards bring together a unique blend of features and technologies that offer users the absolute ...

www.gigabyte.com

https://www.vuugo.com/deepcool-cpu-coolers-R-AK620-BKNNMT-G.html?tracking=5108053939762
DeepCool AK620 CPU Cooler $73.29

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/deepcool-ak620-review

or ...

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NZGH4RD
Scythe Fuma 2 Rev.B CPU Cooler $89.18

https://hardwarecanucks.com/forum/t...-review-the-best-cpu-cooler-got-cooler.84709/

https://www.newegg.ca/asus-geforce-rtx-3080-rog-strix-rtx3080-o12g-gaming/p/N82E16814126550
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC 12GB Graphics Card $1,049.99

https://www.techspot.com/review/2391-intel-core-i7-12700/

i7 12700 / 12700F gaming benchmarks.

 

[Merryginal]

Thank you so much Why_Me for all of that! I'll have to dig a little bit more on this Intel Quick Sync thing, I didn't even knew about it! But indeed I could save a couple on CPU.
As for the motherboard, thank you so much, honestly mobo are so hard to understand, there is so many things but I never seem to know what's the difference at the end, so thanks for showing me this one!
For the cooler I wanted to keep going AIO just because of the added benefit of having more airflow into the case, I haven't use any other type of cooler ever since going AIO but I've read that there isn't much of a difference at this point? Yet again, having more space and airflow in my case is very nice...I'll look into it
Thanks again, very helpful!

 

[Why_Me]

Thank you so much Why_Me for all of that! I'll have to dig a little bit more on this Intel Quick Sync thing, I didn't even knew about it! But indeed I could save a couple on CPU.
As for the motherboard, thank you so much, honestly mobo are so hard to understand, there is so many things but I never seem to know what's the difference at the end, so thanks for showing me this one!
For the cooler I wanted to keep going AIO just because of the added benefit of having more airflow into the case, I haven't use any other type of cooler ever since going AIO but I've read that there isn't much of a difference at this point? Yet again, having more space and airflow in my case is very nice...I'll look into it
Thanks again, very helpful!

Intel® Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video saves customers time creating, editing, synchronizing, and sharing videos without additional hardware.

www.intel.com

 

[Lei]

Thanks Kapone32 for the advise on bookmarking those websites GPUs on Kijiji, I'm not sure tbh I feel like I want to buy that brand new but I'll look up just in case, we never know! For the 4090...out of my league honestly, for the 3090 I won't buy it until it's down to at least 1200$ (the MSI one was for a time but I wasn't feeling it yet). And for AMD, I haven't looked into it that much, I had such a great experience with Intel, maybe I'll wait and see what they come up with


For example I spend a lot of time in Unreal 5, working around in un optimized scenes that makes my computer burn lol but for real though I'm not making any render, so far 32gb is more than enough for me and that hasn't been a problem ever (even in stupid huge prototype) so I'm not too concerned yet. For the PSU you are absolutely right, tbh I thought 850w was already too much for what I have here, but I'll look into it a bit more! Thanks a lot!

3090 vram certainly is worth every penny in unreal.

You must upgrade your monitor if it's 1080.
Anyone using development software (Maya/unreal) can benefit from more display real estate.

A used 3090 is about 770$ here

I'm not sure what a "level designer" is, but if it involves any kind of rendering or 3D apps, then I would strongly suggest you bump your ram to 64 or 128GB, and your storage drive to a larger unit(s), as final renders tend to get real big real fast ...

And although everything else looks good as is for now, you may wanna consider a larger PSU, in case you want to upgrade to a 4xxx or 5xxx GPU in the future, that way you wont have to buy another one and then rip everything apart to install the new PSU....just a thought

Wrong.
Render happens on gpu memory.

The amount of ram you're suggesting would be useful to render smoke, when you set the particle size so so microscopic small, then you let system memory handle it.

I wouldn't sacrifice budget on 64gb ram if gpu is not already 3090.

For gaming purposes, tbh I'm not gaming at 4k or even 2k, even though it might interest me in the future, but I'm still gaming at 1080p right now, so I guess this is not the big focus here.
Thanks for your help!

It is a big focus here. Throw your 1080 monitor away. At that resolution, even Office Word can't display one A4 paper on its entirety

 

[Merryginal]

Yes Lei, I do think a 3090 would be the best choice for me at this point! Like I said I might upgrade to 4k at some point, but to be clear I am not an artist per say, I do work in art map from time to time, but I'll be in there mostly for blocking (for example see Counter Strike orange map type of work) so work wise I wouldn't see that much of a difference and I'll keep an eye out for used GPU...but I am very scared of those hahaha

 

[Lei]

Yes Lei, I do think a 3090 would be the best choice for me at this point! Like I said I might upgrade to 4k at some point, but to be clear I am not an artist per say, I do work in art map from time to time, but I'll be in there mostly for blocking (for example see Counter Strike orange map type of work) so work wise I wouldn't see that much of a difference and I'll keep an eye out for used GPU...but I am very scared of those hahaha

There's nothing wrong with used market, as 3090s are mostly used less than a year or so.

At higher resolution you can separate assets (world) outliner and properties (details) in the UI instead of having to switch between tabs. I mean what's left for the viewport if content browser is open too?

You'll get out of gpu memory error even with 3090. Good luck

And use @ before usernames here, so they get notified when u mention them @Merryginal

 

[Merryginal]

@Lei Hoooo right hahaha thank you for that!

I am working with 3 screens right now, all 1080p but I'll definitely think about upgrading my main later on, I just don't want to add another screen into this budget but again, thanks for all the advices!

 

[Eskimonster]

Feels to me the 1440p option is for conveniency, i dont mind that, but scrolling once more time on the mouse wheel seems like dumb idea to change 3 screens. imho do it if you need it in games, or wait until you got a good surplus to do so.

 

[Merryginal]

Hi everyone, I’m bumping my thread because I have a couple of new questions for you!

So I already bought a couple of things that were on a pretty good deal here and there and I basically have until the end of the month to buy everything (except the GPU which I will buy in January), but with the recent announcement of AMD and their GPUs, I’m really thinking going for it at this point, the price of the 7900 xt (or xtx) is very competitive right now. But would I have to change anything to the current config for that?

Another question is about Intel 12700, I was planning on going for that but at this point if I’m looking at the prices the 13700k is basically 46$ more and offer better result and will probably be a bit more “future proof”. But again…do I have to change anything? I think the current motherboard with a BIOS upgrade will be able to support it, but maybe this isn’t optimal, and is it ok if I stay on my DDR4 and not go for DDR5 on a 13700k?

Thanks!

 

[P4-630]

and is it ok if I stay on my DDR4

Check the motherboard memory QVL if it's tested with your memory.

 

[Merryginal]

If I look at compatibilities, it seems like everything will be working fine so far! (I just got a warning telling me to upgrade my BIOS if I want to go for Intel 13th gen, which is not a problem I'm guessing)

 

[P4-630]

(I just got a warning telling me to upgrade my BIOS if I want to go for Intel 13th gen, which is not a problem I'm guessing)

If you buy a Z690 motherboard with BIOS flash option without the CPU in it , it shouldn't be an issue, but not all motherboards can do this...

Best is to buy Z790, it will run 13th gen out of the box, unless you can get a Z690 board for much cheaper...

 

[Lei]

If I look at compatibilities, it seems like everything will be working fine so far! (I just got a warning telling me to upgrade my BIOS if I want to go for Intel 13th gen, which is not a problem I'm guessing)

Upgrade your bios while using your current CPU.
it would be complicated to update bios on a brainless computer. What I mean is, if you don't update and put the 13th gen in, your PC would be in a coma.

I can revive a braindead PC, but it would be harder for you. Basically that's what @P4-630 means about BIOS flash without cpu.

 

[Merryginal]

Hoooo I see, I didn't know that Thanks guys!

Any recommendation on a good Z790 or Z690 motherboard (preferably around the same budget as the current one in the build, which is around 300$)?

 

[Chrispy_]

We have a few modellers here using UE5 and they started off with 2080Ti cards for the additional VRAM but honestly, RDNA2 seems better optimised for UE5 and UE5 doesn't use any of Nvidia's proprietary black-box toolsets like RTX, Hairworks, etc which means there's very little benefit in overpaying for an RTX card.

IMO the 6700XT 12GB would be a decent choice right now for someone gaming at up to 1440p but after more than the 8GB of VRAM that Nvidia offers in that price range. Potentially you can start with a pretty cheap card that will 100% do the job for now - and only upgrade it if you find yourself limited by VRAM down the line. It still ought to sell next year for a good fraction of what you pay for it now.

I'd be tempted to see what street prices of the announced 7900XTX are before buying a 3090/3090Ti. If you actually need the VRAM, 3090-series is a very expensive and wasteful way to do it. You'd only consider it a reasonable option at all if you were locked to CUDA by some specific software requirements and you could justify the expense on CUDA support alone.

 

[Merryginal]

Thanks @Chrispy_ , those a some very interesting information! Like I said for the GPU it will wait until January, so I am in no rush right now. I will definitely wait to see benchmarks and price before buying anything. For now I'm mostly looking at motherboards and CPUs

 

[Why_Me]

Hi everyone, I’m bumping my thread because I have a couple of new questions for you!

So I already bought a couple of things that were on a pretty good deal here and there and I basically have until the end of the month to buy everything (except the GPU which I will buy in January), but with the recent announcement of AMD and their GPUs, I’m really thinking going for it at this point, the price of the 7900 xt (or xtx) is very competitive right now. But would I have to change anything to the current config for that?

Another question is about Intel 12700, I was planning on going for that but at this point if I’m looking at the prices the 13700k is basically 46$ more and offer better result and will probably be a bit more “future proof”. But again…do I have to change anything? I think the current motherboard with a BIOS upgrade will be able to support it, but maybe this isn’t optimal, and is it ok if I stay on my DDR4 and not go for DDR5 on a 13700k?

Thanks!

If you're waiting until January for your gpu I would look at this site and others for the reviews of the i7 13700 / 13700F seeing how that's when those cpu's will be released. They will be less power hungry than the 13700K while producing similar results. btw that's also when the new B760 boards are also due for release saving you even more money.

 

[Merryginal]

@Why_Me Interesting but sadly I do have to buy some of those parts before the first week of December, reason is that my work is helping me building it but after this date I will lose that money...so I do have to use it for my build
Honestly I was quite happy with my older build that you guys help me with, but seeing the prices around I realized I could maybe go for the 13th gen for under a 100$ more (maybe even less if I find some sweet deals) and then started to think Ryzen at some point too (but I didn't know anything about them so it was even more confusing lol). So yea...I kinda have to make a choice and can't exactly wait for January for those parts.

EDIT: So...just came out of a talk with a friend at work and those bonuses seem retroactive and stackable, so...nevermind. I'll definitely wait for it then, thanks @Why_Me!

I don't exactly know the politics on this forum, can I like "pause" this post until then or should I just make a new one if I ever need some help in January? Honestly I wasn't even sure I could "bump" this post back up...

 

[Why_Me]

@Why_Me Interesting but sadly I do have to buy some of those parts before the first week of December, reason is that my work is helping me building it but after this date I will lose that money...so I do have to use it for my build
Honestly I was quite happy with my older build that you guys help me with, but seeing the prices around I realized I could maybe go for the 13th gen for under a 100$ more (maybe even less if I find some sweet deals) and then started to think Ryzen at some point too (but I didn't know anything about them so it was even more confusing lol). So yea...I kinda have to make a choice and can't exactly wait for January for those parts.

EDIT: So...just came out of a talk with a friend at work and those bonuses seem retroactive and stackable, so...nevermind. I'll definitely wait for it then, thanks @Why_Me!

I don't exactly know the politics on this forum, can I like "pause" this post until then or should I just make a new one if I ever need some help in January? Honestly I wasn't even sure I could "bump" this post back up...

Just bump this thread come January.

 

[berkkocaturk]

Please buy the airflow version of the case it will be scolding inside

 

[Chrispy_]

Please buy the airflow version of the case it will be scolding inside

This. I have the 4000D tempered glass case. I'd almost forgotten there was a "non-airflow" version with a stupid solid front panel.
Anyone buying that runt-edition of the case should be beaten into submission with said solid front panel because they deserve it!